Readers’ Forum Don’t allow pot business near San Marin homes

The Novato City Council approved its first cannabis businesses on Jan. 12. Three are slated for strictly commercial areas, but one, Highway 420, is located in the San Marin residential neighborhood, not far from two schools and a familyoriented recreation facility. Several of us expressed concern at the meeting about crimes reported at cannabis delivery businesses elsewhere.

City staff brushed off the concerns. There was no acknowledgement of the attractiveness of an expected profitable business with cannabis on site to burglars, combined with the risks of having such a business located near homes.

Susan Wernick, the council member representing the district where Highway 420 would be located, expressed her constituents’ concerns about the location. The rest of the council did not acknowledge the arguments or express a willingness to take another look at the zoning rules within the cannabis ordinance. One council member noted that the site “wasn’t perfect” but pushed ahead anyway to approve it.

A fallout of the creation of district elections is that it reduces the council’s obligation to look at the interests of the city as a whole. They are elected by their district’s voters, not at-large.

Also concerning, public comment on the agenda item was very light. The notices regarding the proposal only went out to properties located 600 feet from the businesses. There was little publicity by the city on this item.

Does the revenue to the city from the cannabis businesses offset the policing and monitoring costs? That remains to be seen.

— Madeline and Clint Kellner, Novato

Ross made right choice to keep Drake Boulevard

Kudos and my sincere appreciation to the Ross Town Council for voting to keep the name of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. As a dedicated researcher of Drake’s life and a 68-year native of Marin, I would like to remind the other public officials that will be making decisions on this important local issue about Drake as a man.

According to my research, after his brief, early ties with the slave trade, Drake dedicated his life to ending the oppression brought on by the continuing horrors of The Inquisition and evolved personally to become a great supporter for the respect and fairness of Indigenous people worldwide. According to research by historian John Sugden, this included his freeing of many Black slaves during England’s long war with Spain.

As stated on my website (sfdrakefoundation.org): During his lifetime, Sir Francis Drake became a knight, a master navigator, a world circumnavigator, a leader against Spanish tyranny, a vice admiral, a major defender of England, a great explorer, a mayor of Plymouth, a member of Parliament and one of the most inspiring and forward thinking men of his era.

As a young man, Drake invested in his cousin’s merchant fleet before (his cousin) John Hawkins began England’s only involvement in Spain’s slaving enterprise to the New World and was involved in it for only two of his over 40 years as a sailor.

According to Sugden’s research, Drake and his crew (including his close friend Diego and two other freed Black slaves) established a close friendship with the Coast Miwok people during their fiveweek stay in Marin in 1579 and that Drake was made an honorary chief by the native people.

Drake’s name will always be remembered and honored here in Marin for the mature, experienced and dedicated man that he became.

— Duane Van Dieman,

Mill Valley

Trump-incited mob deserves to be punished

Many of us are not members nor supporters of White supremacy groups. We did not vote for Donald Trump. We have been observing with anxiety and trepidation for four years as the president trampled on the basic fundamentals of our democracy.

Yes, I’ve been grappling with the need to further understand my unconscious lifelong acceptance of my own White privilege. There’s more work needed. I intend to keep working.

I was not proud of my country for the four years Trump was in office. We were the subject of derision and disbelief around the world. It’s my right as a citizen to “point my finger” at evil and hatred encouraged by the sitting president.

The thugs who invaded the Capitol were attempting to overthrow our government. They did not represent the needs and longings of people of color in this country based on systemic racism. Justice must be done.

My hopes are pinned on the fair-minded citizens of all parties who elected Joe Biden.

— Susan Mines, San Rafael